Watercourse, pool, and like construction and method of landscaping and preparing same



1933- v F. H. LEUBUSCHER 1,924,721

WATERCOURSE, POOL, AND LIKE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF LANDSCAPING AND PREPARING SAME Filed March 24, 1932 2 Sheefs-Sheet l 112-25 7/1 I L A 6 Q CC :1 4d A7 20 1% \3 12 86 r Q A 120 52 0 I20 50 f3 1 M I20 O p 9 I R VENTOR ATTOR N EYJ 1933. F, H. LEUBUSCHER 1,924,721

WATERCOURSE, POOL, AND LIKE CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF LANDSCAPING AND PREPARING SAME Filed March 24, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /0 INVENTOR ATTORN EYS Patented Aug. 29, 1933 WATERCOURSE, POOL, AND LIKE CON- STRUCTION AND METHOD OF LANDSCAP- ING AND PREPARING Frederic H. Leubuscher, Verona, N. J.

Application March 24, 1932. Serial No. 600,847

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in landscape gardening, and more particularly to an improved method and means of simulating bodies or" water and water courses, in natural or arti 5 ficially prepared terrains.

In landscape gardening, the inclusion of aquatic features in the landscapes has required the excavation of pits and channels, together with the lining of the same with rocks, gravel l and the like.

for water courses, ponds, and the like wereto be permanent, they have, in many instances, been lined with concrete or masonry. The use of concrete has not proved satisfactory, particularly where natural waters are not available for feeding purposes, due to the seepage of the water and to the further fact that in Winter the freezing of the water to form ice, with its accompanying expansion, oftentimes results in the cracking and 0 destruction of the concrete masses. Thus, in

addition to the high costs of installation of concrete constructions, there is added the feature of the lack of permanency, together with the accompanying loss or marring of its scenic effect.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and means for conforming or adapting water courses and bodies of water generally to various types of terrain, without involving extensive excavations and the construction of concrete or masonry masses.

It is also an object of this invention to provide such an improved method and means in which natural water courses, ponds, and the like are simulated by configuring sheet metal retaining members to a natural or artifically prepared terrain.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of an improved-method and means for forming or building aquatic features into suitable natural-appearing or artificially prepared terrains by providing waterproof beds made of a deformable metal such as lead.

A further object of this invention is the provision of such an improved method and means for forming aquatic features in landscapes, according to which falls, ripples, dams, and various conditions naturally associated with water courses and ponds generally may be formed by suitably w positioning securing natural objects in place in water courses and ponds.

These and other desirable objects and advantages of the present invention will be described in the accompanying specification, certain preferred embodiments being illustrated in the drawings by way of example only, for, since the under- Where the containers or channels rounding terrain;

lying principles may be incorporated in other specific constructions, it is not intended to be limited to the ones here shown, except as such limitations are clearly imposed by the appended claims.

In the drawings, like numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, of which Fig. l is an idealized plan view of a piece of terrain which has been landscaped in accordance with the precepts of thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is an idealized profile of the terrain shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line of the infiuent and efiiuent water courses;

Fig. 3 is a broken vertical section of an edge of a vertical sided pool, skating rink, or like construction;

Fig. 4 is a broken elevation of the edge of the pond shown'in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of theedge of the pond shown in Fig. 3, and showing a variety of methods of configuring the pond to the sur- Fig. 6 is a vertical broken section of the bot- .tom of the pond, showing a variety of soil r etaining members; v

Fig. 7 is an elevation view showing the method of joining the lead sheets;

Fig.8 is a vertical section of a channel show ing the method of including rocks and the like, and of configuring the edges of the bank;

Fig. 9 is a .top plan view of a channel with a I Y plurality of obstructions cemented therein to provide falls; and I f Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line 10l0 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows. V

As will be more fully'disclosed hereinafter, a well designed garden pool is often the final touch which makes a successful landscaping development, but the pool, though artificial, must look perfectly natural. As noted hereinabove, many of the common pool building materials, because of their rigid, unyielding nature, are distinctly unsuited for constructing garden pools, skating rinks, swimming pools, fish ponds, and the like, with accompanying springs, inlet and outlet brooks, in such a manner as will make them seem to have been left inthe landscape by nature, untouched by the hand of man.

Recently it has been found that sheet lead may be used as a watertight diaphragm or lining. for artificial garden pools, and that such pools, when made up in the manner to be hereinafter described, have this desirednatural effect. The. durability and permanence of lead may be gathered from the existance of conduits of this material which have come down unchanged from the times of the Romans.

Lead is a particularly suitable medium for such types of open constructions and the cost of constructing lead-lined pool usually will be less than the cost of building pools of other materials. For pools of equal size, there is much lessexcavation necessary when lead is used than when other materials, such as stone, brick, cement and the like, are used. There are no forms to build, and the pool is ready to receive water immediately upon completion without the necessity of washing it out before use to prevent injury to plant and aquatic life. In addition, its installation does not require space for the storage of materials nor create a muss by the mixing of them. Simpler construction, less labor and fewer materials constitute a decided saving. v

A low maintenance cost is an impossibility in pools where the material used, such as concrete and the like, is inclined to crack and split due to adverse weather conditions and sharp changes in temperature. Leakage, either through joints or cracks, is practically absent in the case of a' lead pool, permitting a decided saving in water, which is a distinct advantage, particularly in localities where the supply must be artificial and the retail price of water is high. Any needed repairs in the lead-lined pool can be made with a minimum of trouble and with perfect assurance of success.

Another advantageous feature, of a lead-lined pool is that it can be enlarged at any time with no uncertainty as to the efficiency of a new joint and the enlargement can be made without the removal of a single drop of Water. The workability and malleability of lead, as well as the nature of the locking joint which connects the lead sheet, enables the owner to reshape his pool at any time to fit his particular taste and also to conform to the surrounding terrain.

'As noted hereinabove, one of the most appreciated advantages of a lead-lined pool is the ease with which it may be made to simulate nature. The watertight diaphragm of lead, when properly laid, as will be described more in detail hereinafter, is not visible. Most pools require the extensive use of rocks, plants and soil in order to disguise their artificial nature, thus producing a stilted, necklace-like appearance. In a lead pool, the dark color of the metal under water gives an illusion of a natural pond. This illusion can be still further enhanced by coating or painting the lead with any suitably colored pigment or paint so as to give any desired tint to the body of the water. In addition, there is no necessity to encircle the pool with rocks, as is done in most cases. The natural contours of the grounds may be strictly preserved when lead is used, the lead merely being shaped or conformed to fit the particular location. A boggy shore may be obtained at one place, asandy beach at another, a moss covered bank at still another. Furthermore, twisting, winding brooks with waterfalls and miniature rapids are possible for the inlet or outlet of the pond. The effectiveness and the naturalness of the pool are limited only by the capabilities of the designer.

Should circumstances at any time necessitate the removal of a lead-lined pool and its associated inlets and outlets, this may be accomplished with little trouble. The water would be drained off and the lead sheets cut into convenient widths and rolled. This reclaimed lead has a salvage value, which will appreciably help to compensate for the expense of removing the pool. I

In a construction to be hereinafter described by way of example, the completed system consists of an artificial spring which discharges through naturally worn holes in a large limestone rock setin a hill side. The water tumbles down a miniature mountain brook into a pond which may be set at any desired depth or distance below the level of the spring. At its outlet end the pond is provided with a large stone WhiCh'lS so set as to form a spillway. The water from the pond flows over this dam in a natural groove and winds along aother brook, emptying finally into an underground sump, which may be made of concrete and which is so placed that its top is appreciably lower than the The water is then pumped from the sump back to the spring through a suitable pipe line, co cleting the cycle. As noted hereinabove, the entire water course is lead lined.

Lead is used as a lining material for the system due to-the fact that it is both watertight and may be readily formed. Also because it is virtually impossible to prevent cracks in ma terials like concrete due to frost and variations in temperature, whereas lead is not affected by either of these destructive agencies. g

In construction, having decided upon the size and shape of the pond, as well as the materials to be used, the site is excavated so that the bottom of the pond slopes downwardly from the shore to a desired depth. A horizontal shelf of the order of a foot in width and six inches below the original gr and surface is then excavated around the edge of the pond. A slanting shelf may be provided where it is not desired to use supporting rocks or where it is desired to place or dispose a maximum of soil around the edge of the pond to provide for a continuous growth of bog plants of various types. Sheets of lead are next laid in the excavation and formed to fit the contours of the pond, the foot shelf and the ix inch band above the shelf. The sheets are then connected by a lock joint and made watertight by soldering, oleic acid being used as a flux.

To simulate a natural appearance, rocks, such .as water-worn limestone rocks, may be placed at regular intervals on'the horizontal shelf and soil for the growing of bog plants, where desired, filled in behind and between them. The soil between the rocks can be held in place with strips of inch mesh galvanized wire. These strips may be some five inches wide and cut in lengths to fit the distances between the rocks, and bent one inch lengthwise to form L-shaped retainers. These retainers may be soldered to the edge of the shelf and guy wiresprovided to retain same in position, the guy wires being attached thereto and being soldered to the rear of the shelf.

The inside of the mesh may be covered with strips of burlap and the shelf filled with top soil in which to grow bog plants. When the pond is filled the shelf is maintained under water. After a lapse of time the burlap will rot out, but the roots of the plants will have grown sufficiently to serve as retaining members for the soil and prevent it from washing out.

Where aquatic plants are desired for the pool, the strips of lead or like material may be formed into cylinders of any desired diameter and soldered to the bottom of the pool at scattered points to hold soil for lily tubers and the like, or the cylinders may be formed of any "desired sheet metal and provided with footings or gaskets of lead or other deformable metal and laid in place on the bottom of the pool. In addition, the bottom of the pool may be domed or formed with depressions of suitable contour and depth adapted to contain a desired amount of soil, or cup members may be formed and fitted into apertures of suitable size formed in the bottom, the several cup members being joined to the metal of the bed in any desired manner, as by soldering.

The rock forming the spillway of the pond will be placed at an elevation of suificient height above the base of the shelf so that when the water is permitted to rise to a level of four inches above the base of the shelf, or two inches below the ground surface, so that a. quarter of an inch of water will overflow from the pond. It will, of

, course, be appreciated that the amount of water overflowing from the, pond will correspond to the amount discharged from the spring which feeds the pond.

The brook channels may be made from sheets of lead turned up at the sides to form troughs of any desired dimensions. Where falls are desired, large pieces ofv limestone or other rocks of suitable shapes may beplaced in the trough and the space between the stone and the lead grouted with cement to insure the water flowing over and not under the stone. Moss covered logs may be used in the same manner to very good effect. Rapids may be made with stones and graduated pebbles. By bending the sides of the brook channels over and propping here and there with stones, very realistic overhanging banks may be made.

While the present invention comprehends the form-fitting of a pond bed to a natural or artificially prepared terrain, it is also intended to cover the use of small preformed pools, of any type which may be made up in standard sizes and forms and then fitted into place in a given locale.

This feature is of advantage in thatit permits the landscaping of small gardens at relatively low costs for materials and permits appreciable savings in labor costs. The usual and necessary connections for the inflow and'outflow of water, including infiuent and effluent brooks, may be made use of.

The completed system may be supplied with water by tapping the water system in the owners residence. to have a capacity which would be suflicient to hold the water flowing over the spillway if the pump were turned oil. While the system is in operation the water in the sump is kept at a depth of one foot to allow sediment to settle. A suitable pump draws the water from the sump and delivers it at the spring.

The pipingbetween the sump, pump and spring may be so arranged that repairs and additions can be made to any section of the system with the exception of the bottom of the pond without drawing off the entire supply of water. Thus, the water may be pumped directly from the bottom of the pond and discharged at the spring, leaving the lower brook and sump free to work upon, or by merely shutting off the pump the upper brook and spring may be repaired.

The pond may be emptied and the system drained by drawing the water from the bottom of the pond and bypassing it around the sump into a sewer. The natural setting for the system encased in the retaining members 50.

The concrete sump isso designed as may be formed by a variety of evergreens, perennials, ferns, dogwood, huckleberries, birches, etc., eliminating the necessity of extensive landscaping.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the improved method and means of landscaping, including the formation of water courses, ponds, and the like, in a natural'or artificially prepared terrain will now be described. A suitable terrain comprising a hillside 10 debouching into a gently sloping plateau 11 is excavated at a suitable point, preferably at the foot of the hill 10, to form a depression 12. This depression, which will be referred to hereinafter as the pond, is lined with lead sheets 13 forming a waterproof lining, designated generally by the numeral 14. The pond, noted above, is provided laterally with a shelf portion 20, terminating in a raised shoulder 21. The shoulder and plateau just described serve'to retain stones and in terposed earth 31 for plants32, the earth initially being held in position by means of a wire mesh strip 22 having an inturned flange 23 sol dered to the platform 20, as indicated'at' 24. An iron or rod 25 extending from the wire mesh screen member rearwardly and secured to the retaining flange 21, as indicated at 26, may be used as a supporting member. Burlap retaining strips 27 may be fitted Within the screens 22 and serve to retain theearth in place and prevent its being washed away until the plants 32 have attained a suflicient growth. a

Where it is desired to provide for a much greater quantity of soil or earth 31 around the banks of the pond, and where the use of stones is not desired, the shelf portion 20 may be depressed at an angle to form a sloping shoulder 20a, terminating in an upstanding flange 21a. The added space afforded by this construction will permit the utilization of appreciably more earth. The level of the water in the pond should preferably be above the top. of member 14 so that an appreciable portion or all of the earth 31 will be maintained under water.

Where it is desired to grow aquatic plants, retaining members of generally cylindrical shape may be out out and formed from sheet lead and other suitable material and soldered to the lead bottom of the pond, as indicated at 51. A suitable soil' 52 for the roots "of lily tubers may be The members 50 may be varied in size and number and suitably distributed over the bottom of the pond at will. If it is not desired to provide permanent members 50, removable or portable members 55 may be suitably formed and provided with gaskets or footings 56 of deformable metal which are adapted to conform to the surface of the bottom of the pond. Where it is desired to form the containers for the soil or earth 52 integral with the bottom of the pond, depressions 50a of anysuitable shape and capacity may be formed therein in any well known manner, or a desired number of cup-shaped containers may be formed and dropped through suitable apertures, being thereafter soldered to the adjoining metal to form a watertight assembly.

As noted more particularly in Fig. '7, the lead suitable material, any of the various well known solders being used, or suitably sized strips of the sheet lead itself may be used. A copper or iron 17 may be used in the'usualmanner tofuse the joints. i

The efferent or inlet brook 60 may comprise a generally trough shaped member having a bottom 61 and'sides 62, 63. At its upper end the trough 60 has fitted therein a rock 65 of suitable dimensions and which is preferably provided with a plurality of outlet holes fifithrough which the water 67 for the brook may be fed. The rock 65 may be of natural appearing limestone, and is preferably cemented in place, as indicated at 68. A' plurality of falls 69 may be formed by grouting or setting suitably sized rocks '70 in place in the trough by means of cement '71. Gravel or small stones 72 may be disposed along the bed of the trough, if desired. The lower, or efferent water course is constructed similarly to the upper water course and is generally provided with a more gentle slope terminating in falls 81, which finally discharge into the sump 82.

The spillway rock 90 positioned at the outlet of the pond and discharging into the outlet brook, is preferablya natural rock of suitable size ce mented in place in the usual manner, a lead apron or diaphragm 18 being abutted thereagainst and formed as a continuation of the diaphragm 14. This diaphragm serves to prevent the seepage of water under and through the rock 90, particularly in winter when the circulation of water may be dispensed with.

As intimated hereinabove, the walls of the brook channels may be held in place by rocks '7 5 of sufficient height and suitably configured to retain the walls. Perpendicular or smaller stones or rocks '16 may be placed at one or both sides and the flange or edge 63 of the channel bent over, as indicated at 63a, to form an overhanging bank on top of which may be disposedmossy growths 100.

The water used in the system may be supplied from the town supply, indicated generally at 110, through conduit 111, discharging into outlet 66. The sump 82 is connected by means of pipeline 83 to a pump 84 which forces the water through a pipe 85 to the pipe 111, a three-way cock 1. .2, or its equivalent, being interposed at the junction of pipe 110, 111 to direct the water as desired. A further pipe connection 86 is provided between the bottom of the pond 12 and the pump 84, permitting the withdrawal of water rom the bottom of the pump and its circulation by pipe 85 to the brook. By the use of this piping system it will be seen that the water may flow from the brook inlet 66 to the brook 60, thence into the pond and outwardly down the outlet brook 80 to the sump, being thereafter pumped back in a return circuit to the inlet 66, or the water may be circulated in the upper brook section and pond only, or. in the pond and lower brook section only, leaving the upper brook section free to be repaired. The terrain around the pond and associated brook and the like may be suitably landscaped and roads 120 provided where desired.

While the present invention has been described in particular relation 'to a conformed or landscaped' pool and associated water courses, as shown in Fig. 3, the invention also comprehends the formation of vertical sided pools having walls lid and a bottom 14?: made of sheet lead in any desired thickness and secured in any suitable manner. The tank or container which may be adapted for: use as a swimming pool, fish pond, lily pond, or the like, is fitted into a suitable excavation and is provided with reinforced concrete footings 14c around the edges thereof. Lead gaskets 14d and 14e are disposed at the corners to prevent wear on the metal of the tank body or pool. The gaskets 14d serve to protect the bottom of the tank from the footings or supports 140 while the gaskets 14c serve a similar purpose for the inside of the tank, protecting the latter from being cut by the stones 14f which may be arranged around the inside of the tank in suitable courses to simulate a natural rock pool.

It will now be seen that there has been provided an improved method and means of forming watertight water courses, pools, ponds, and the like, either in natural or artificially prepared terrains, the invention being described with particular reference to the use of lead-lined, artificial pools and water courses which, due to their low construction cost, low maintenance cost, ready adaptability to surroundings, naturalness of contour, ease with which changes may be made, permanence of installation and salvage.

value of the metal reclaimed from discontinued pools, provides a most economical and desirable medium for such uses. It is to be noted further that although lead has been described as a desirable material, the invention comprehends the use of any other readilydeformable metal, such as sheet tin, zinc and equivalent materials, although the relatively greater durability and workability of lead favors its use over other materials which mightbe considered.

While the foregoing description has been set forth in general and in detail in respect to specific ideas, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made therein and that such changes and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the invention as defined in the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is: V

1. In an artificial pond construction, a deformable'metal liner configured to the terrain, the

,liner being extended to form flanged shelf members at the edges of the pool, the shelf members being adapted to be maintained under the normal water level ofv the finished pond.

2. In an artificial pond construction, a deformable member liner configured to the terrain, the liner being extended to form flanged shelf members, including unstanding, peripheral wall sections at' the edges of the pool and adapted to be maintained under the normal water level of the said pond.

3. In an artificial pond construction, a deformable metal liner configured to the terrain, the liner being extended to form flanged shelf members at the edges of the pool, the said shelf members being provided with retaining walls of foraminous metal at the inner periphery of the shelf.

4. In an artificial pond construction, a deformable metal liner configured to the terrain, the liner being extended to form flanged shelf members, at the edges of the pool, the said shelf members being provided with retaining walls of wire mesh and bracing means for the said mesh.

5. A shelf construction for artificial ponds made of deformable metal, comprising a shelf secured to the upper edges of the pond lining, an upstanding collar formed at the outer edge of said shelf, and means disposed inwardly of said collar and on said shelf for retaining earth and plants.

6. A shelf construction for artificial ponds made of deformable metal, comprising a shelf secured to the upper edges of the pond lining,

LOO

an upstanding collar formed at the outer edge of said shelf, and means affixed to the said lining and adjacent to the edge of the shelf and inwardly of said collar for retaining earth and plants.

'7. An artificial pond construction having a deformable metal bottom and improved containers for earth for aquatic plants, coacting with the bottom, said containers comprising open ended deformable metal members adapted to conform to the bottom of the pond.

8. An artificial pond construction having a deformable metal bottom and improved containers for each for aquatic plants, coacting with the bottom, said containers comprising open ended deformable metal members of tubular form adapted to conform to the bottom of the pond.

9. An improved construction for retaining earth and plants at the edges of the ponds, comprising a shelf member having a portion adapted to be placed under water level and extending laterally from the edge of the pond, an outer wall portion attached to the first said portion and extending above the normal water level and foraminous members secured to the inner edge of said shelf.

10. In a construction of the type described in claim 9, the said foraminous members comprising wire mesh secured to the shelf.

11. In a construction of the type described in claim 9, the said foraminous members comprising wire mesh secured to the shelf and a permeable fabric backing for the said mesh.

12. In an artificial pond construction, the improvements comprising retaining means for bog plants and the like, disposed around the edges of the said pond, said retaining means comprising a plurality of spaced sections of wire mesh as retaining members, burlap backings for said mesh members, stays secured to the mesh, and rocks disposed between the several sections.

13. An artificial pondconstruction, having a deformable metal bottom and improved containers for earth for aquatic plants coacting with the bottom, said containers comprising openended metal members having deformable gaskets adapted to conform to the bottom of the pond.

14. An improved artificial pond construction,

including an inlet and an outlet and a deformable metal liner configured to the terrain, the liner being extended to form flanged shelf members at the edges of the pool, the said shelf members being provided with retaining members at.

the inner periphery of the shelf and being adapted to be maintained at least in part under normal water level, and means for circulating water from said discharge to said intake whereby to simulate natural flow.

FREDERIC H. LEUBUSCHER.

CERTIFICATE or CQRRECTION.

Parent No. 1,924,721. August 29, 1933.

FREDERIC H. LEUBUSCHER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specifications of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 90, for "aother" read another; page 4, line 3, for "efferent" read afferent; and line 3.24, claim 2, for "on-standing" read upstanding; page 5, line 14, claim 8, for "each" read earth; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Gffice. I

Signed and sealed this 14th day of November, A. D. 1933.

F. M. Hopkins (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

